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Why does the Gemara (גמרא) permit marriage between death and burial when mourning laws should apply? The Rambam (רמב"ם) distinguishes between two separate aspects of aveilus: kavod hameis (honoring the deceased) and achrisu ki yomar (personal trauma/bitterness). This framework explains when Chazal can override mourning obligations.
This shiur analyzes the complex Gemara (גמרא) in Kesubos 4a regarding the special heter to marry when the groom's father dies during wedding preparations. The Gemara permits marriage between the death (misa) and burial (kevura), followed by shiva and then sheva brachos. Rabbi Zweig examines the major dispute between the Rif/Bahag (who permit this sequence in multiple cases) and the Rosh (who only permits postponing the wedding). The central difficulty is understanding how Chazal can override Torah (תורה)-level mourning laws. The Ran explains that sages can nullify shev v'al ta'aseh (passive obligations) but cannot permit violations of kum v'aseh (active prohibitions) like celebrating during mourning.
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Kesubos 4a
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